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Monthly Archives: May 2013

Today’s Pursuing My Passion spotlight shines brightly on singer/songwriter, Lisa Dotolo. She has two CDs on the market already, and there is much more to come! Her music and lyrics are guaranteed to move you. Of course, I might be slightly biased because Lisa and I performed together in high school. And I am so proud of what she has accomplished!

What is the first childhood performance you remember? The first childhood performance was Loretta Lynn on her Coal Miner’s Daughter Tour. My mom took me, and I remember standing in front of her tour bus and having my picture taken. I still have the photo, and that was the first concert I went to that inspired me to pursue my performance career and go after singing as my career!

Where do you find your inspiration to write songs? All of my songs are inspired from my actual experiences in life. I write from my heart always and feel very connected to everything I write. I write only when I feel that the emotion from the experience needs to be expressed, then it turns into a song or poem. Some poems require further exploration and become songs.

How would you describe your style? I have so many musical influences, and they all kind of blend together when the song is produced in the studio. I describe my style as Emmy Lou meets Jewel + Natalie Merchant + Charlotte Church, with a WHOLE lot of love and inspiration. My foundation is Catholic liturgical music that I learned to sing and play when I was in a folk group at my church. It expanded to encompass gospel, traditional Catholic hymns and ultimately, Christian folk songs.

Do you have one guitar or a collection? I have a lot of guitars all over my house and in storage!!! I have collected them along the way and some have been given to me. All of them hold memories for me about the performances I played them in and the people who were so generous to give them to me!

What performing venue is your favorite? My favorite venue is ANYTIME I play in Gulf Shores, Alabama for festivals. They are so receptive to music, they have amazing musicians, and they are such nice people! Another favorite venue is the church; the acoustics are awesome!!

Which song is most meaningful to you? Angels on the Corner – It’s a lullaby I wrote about my brother a few days before he died. We knew he was going to pass, but we weren’t sure when. The day I wrote it, he was sleeping on the couch after a long surgery. I began to strum the chords and the words just flowed out. He rested quite peacefully throughout the entire creation of the song. He eventually passed, and I proceeded to record the song. I have three versions of the song; one is fully produced, and another is the acoustic version that I am playing with my mom on harmony.

When did you realize that singing and songwriting was your true calling? I believe when we find our calling we have a lot of peace in our choice. Whenever I write and sing, I feel happy and peaceful. People get inspired from my music, they are moved to feel happy, sad, joyful or just simply content. My calling in life is to create music and if I can bring some harmony to someone’s soul, then I have done my job, and I have used my talents that God has given me.

Your first album, Someday Soon, was released in 2004. You followed up with Doing It All My Way, in 2010. What can we expect from you next? Since I finance all my music, it does take some time to produce each song. I have many, many, many songs, ideas, titles and concepts for songs. The goal is to be signed by a major label so that side of the business is handled by them, and I am free to write and record all the time – those records will spin out A LOT faster with label support or financial backing!! However, right now, I have a third record in the works, hopefully to be released in 2013. All of my music is currently launched under my own indie label, Bella Mere Records. Would love to expand the label to continue to launch my music and other artists.

Where can people buy your music? The internet or directly through me at Facebook. I am very, very accessible. I want to hear from people and know they like my songs. And I want them to email me directly and buy from me. CD Baby too, iTunes and more!

Where can people go to find where you will be performing? Facebook has a lot of my dates as soon as I get them. Right now though, I am wrapping up a record and looking to pick up gigs this summer and fall 2013.

This is not a typical Mother’s Day post. But, it does have to do with my Mom’s deep love and concern. I love her dearly for her advice and for wanting the very best for me. And sometimes, I find humor in our daily exchanges. Yes, I talk to my mother (and father) every day. Despite the 600 miles that physically separate us, we are a close-knit family. And I would not want it any other way. (The close-knit part, not the distance part!)
The mere thought of me plunging into online dating has sent my mother into a bit of a tizzy. But for those of us over 40, let’s face it, we do not have many other alternatives.

“I don’t like the idea of you doing this online dating thing.”
I sigh heavily. “Uh huh.”
“Did you see Criminal Minds this week?”
“Yes.”
“You saw what happened to those girls?”
“Yes.”
“I’d feel better if one of your friends set you up with someone.”
“You know they tried. But the guys were all old.”
“Age shouldn’t matter.”
“In theory, I agree. But I’m not attracted to old men.”
“They all weren’t that old.”
“They were closer to your age than to mine. That doesn’t work for me.”
“How will you know if these online men are who they say they are?”
“I don’t. But that could happen no matter how I meet a guy.”
“Don’t ever meet a man at his house.”
“I know. I’m not stupid. I would meet him at a restaurant or some public place.”
“One with good lighting in the parking lot.”
Rolling my eyes, I reply, “Yes, one with good lighting.”
“So how does this work exactly?”
“Everyone fills out a profile with interests and stuff. Then some computer program matches us up based on our profiles.”
“But they could lie and use someone else’s picture.”
“Yes, they could. But that would be pretty stupid. And I wouldn’t sign up for a free site. I’d use one you have to pay for. That should weed out some of the riff-raff.”
“I love you, and I just want you to be happy.”
“I know. I love you too.”
“Let’s change the subject.”
“Okay. Thank you.” I am relieved.
“So, did you see the segment on the news about The Villages?”
(The Villages is a popular retirement community in Florida.)
“No, I didn’t.”
“Well, there has been a drastic rise in STDs among the residents. Since the women can’t get pregnant, they’re not practicing safe sex. The men are spreading venereal diseases around like wildfire.”

After spending three years in jail and others completely alone, twenty-four-year-old Cole Flint discovers an amazing ability—he can time-travel and teleport. He’s a jumper. So what should the motorcycle-riding, cage-fighting tough guy do? He should protect an innocent eighteen-year-old girl who happens to be in possession of the Staff of Moses. Following the direction of a trio of angels who are determined to shake things up in the Middle East, Cole pairs up with Hannah Carpenter and her pet grizzly while he also tries to change his past and learn the mystery of his birth. Curiously, the King of Jordan knows all about Hannah, and he’s determined to gain possession of the staff. He’ll do anything to possess its power, but is it possible that he’s no more than a pawn, manipulated in time along with Cole and Hannah? Jumper is a mysterious roller coaster of action and a time-traveling adventure that will keep readers guessing right to the very last page.

Jeff is currently an 8th grade English teacher for Davison Community Schools. He coached for 25 years. In the past three years, he stopped coaching and has published three mystery/suspense novels. Loving the Rain, Skeleton Key, and Bulletproof are three stand-alone novels featuring Clay and Tanner Thomas. A fourth novel, a time-traveler action/adventure called Jumper was published on April 30, 2013. Jeff loves sports, reading, writing, and spending time with his awesome family.